Pinterest Upgrades Visual Search Feature
Pinterest is upgrading its visual search feature with new capabilities to improve user experience. The company announced that it is rolling out new functionality to enhance its feature that allows users to search using an image instead of text.
What’s New in Visual Search
The new additions include tools to more precisely narrow and refine searches, as well as those that make visual search more accessible across Pinterest’s website. This upgrade aims to help Pinterest stand out as a search engine for things users may have trouble describing with words, such as a vibe, style, or aesthetic.
Understanding What You Like
One new enhancement will help users understand what they like about a certain Pin, initially in the women’s fashion category in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. When users tap on a Pin, they’ll see an animated glow, and Pinterest will generate words that help people determine why they like the Pin. This feature is powered by Visual Language Models (VLMs), a form of generative AI.
Refining Fashion Searches
Another update will allow users to refine their fashion searches by seeking out alternatives to the item shown in a different color, style, or fabric. For instance, users can find a similar style that has more of a "Y2K" aesthetic or find something similar to a blazer they liked, but that works better for a formal occasion.
Expanded Visual Search
Pinterest will also expand its visual search across more areas in its app, including allowing users to long-press on any Pin on their Home Feed to kick off a visual search. This update makes it easier for users to find what they’re looking for without having to type a single word.
The Future of Visual Search
The update comes on the heels of an announcement that Pinterest will begin to label AI-generated images and soon allow users to limit the number of AI images they’re shown. This move aims to address user concerns that AI would ruin Pinterest by making it harder to find genuine images that could inspire their future shopping.
Conclusion
Combined with the AI-focused update and the improved visual search, Pinterest hopes to re-establish its use as a visual shopping tool that leverages AI, rather than one that’s being destroyed by it. With these new features, users can expect a more intuitive and effective search experience that helps them find what they’re looking for, even when they can’t quite put it into words.
